'Dancing on Ice' coach Jayne Torvill has warned viewers Beth Tweddle may not live up to their expectations on the new series, despite being the bookies' favourite to win

Jayne Torvill has hinted Beth Tweddle may not meet people's expectations on 'Dancing on Ice'.

The Olympic bronze medal-winning gymnast, 27, is being tipped to win the latest series of the ITV1 celebrity ice skating competition, but the show's trainer warns she could be a letdown for viewers because her sporting background may be a hindrance on the ice.

Speaking to the Daily Star Sunday newspaper, Jayne explained: "It will be interesting to see an Olympic star doing something out of their comfort zone.

"With sports people in past series they've had strength but haven't always had rhythm. When Dame Kelly Holmes was competing she found the dancing side tough. Even she admitted she wasn't graceful or elegant. She wanted to do too much ­herself because she wasn't used to working with a partner."

Jayne, 55, who coaches the celebrity contestants - who include 'Baywatch' babe Pamela Anderson, singer Shayne Ward and 'TOWIE' star Lauren Goodger - with her skating partner Christopher Dean, 54, also thinks the training process is more difficult than rival show, 'Strictly Come Dancing', which was won by Olympic gymnast Louis Smith.

She said: "It was interesting seeing if Olympians could cope on 'Strictly' but there's no doubt 'Dancing on Ice' is tougher. It's a much bigger commitment than 'Strictly'. Training for that isn't as long.

"We work with them for three months before the series even starts so they can be skating for up to six months."